Coca-Cola has created a publicity stunt (作秀) in Singapore — a vending machine (自动售货机) which gives out free cans of Coke in return for (作为对…回报) hugs. The whacky idea is part of the company's Open Haziness campaign (运动) designed to attract young people in Singapore.

    Students at the National University of Singapore were surprised to find that the soft drinks company had placed the machine in the schoolyard. But instead of the drinks brand's logo (标志), the words “Hug Me” are written across its red-and-white logo. Instead of paying money, customers have to hug the drinks machine to receive a free can of Coke.

    Public displays of affection are uncommon and have long been discouraged in Singapore, but are on the rise among young people. The move is part of a campaign created by advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather, intended to let the youth to see the brand as a non-threatening (无威胁的) friend.

    Leonardo O'Grady, leader of the campaign, said, “Happiness is contagious (传染的). The Coca-Cola Hug Machine is a single idea to spread some happiness. We want to spread happiness in an unexpected, creative way to attract not only the people present, but the audience at large.”

    He hopes that it will encourage consumers to bring positivity, optimism (乐观) and fun into their lives and to open a Coke, sharing a little happiness.

    The machines haw been such a success that there are plans to roll them out across Asia. Mr. O'Grady added, “The reaction was amazing — at one point we had four to five people hugging the machine at the same time as well as each other! In fact, there was a long line of people looking to give hugs.”

    It's the 3rd Annual Family Fun Fair!

    Games • Crafts (工艺品) • Apple pie contest

    Food • Face painting • Door prizes (门票对号奖)

    ... and more!

    What: A chance to celebrate spring, support our community (社区), and have fun!

    When: Saturday, February 8th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine!

    Where: The big field next to Hopedale Elementary School

    For more information: Contact Peter Halm at 555-0191

    Don't miss the 3rd annual Family Fun Fair!

    This fair promises to be even better than last year's fair — no kidding!

    Last year the game booths (摊位) were a big hit. (Who could forget Principal Snyder winning a toy dog that was so big it took four students to carry it to her truck?) This year we have two new game booths. So get ready to take part in the games.

    Visit our craft tables. They will be better than ever! You can buy items such as clothing, backpacks, and gift baskets.

    Children aged 5 and under can have their faces painted for FREE by Mr. Garcia's third-grade art class.

    No fair would be complete without food. We will be selling hot dogs, ice cream, roasted nuts, and cotton candy at our booths. For those of you who love to bake, why not enter our new apple pie contest? Just bring your pie to the pie table on the morning of the fair. At 1 p.m., our judges, Coach Carter and math teacher, Mrs. Adams, will choose a winner.

    Won't you please support our school by coming to the fair? Tickets are only $2 each. Door prizes will be given. You could win sports equipment, a new camera, or dinner for four at Merino's Restaurant!

    This will be the best fair ever. Don't miss it!

    Millions of people all over the world use the word okay. In fact，some people say the word is used more often than any other word in the world.

    It may be common，but no one can seem to agree on how the “OK” came to be.

    Okay means “all right” or “acceptable”. It expresses agreement or approval. You might ask your brother，“Is it okay if I borrow your car?” Or if someone asks you to do something，you might say，“Okay ， I will.” Still，language experts do not agree about where the word came from.

    Some people say it came from the Native American Indian tribe known as the Choctaw. The Choctaw word “okeh” means the same as the American word okay. Experts say early explorers in the American West spoke the Choctaw language in the nineteenth century. The language spread across the country.

    But many people dispute(不同意)this.

    Language expert Allen Walker Read wrote about the word okay in reports published in the 1960s.He said the word began being used in the 1830s.It was a short way of writing a different spelling of the words “all correct.” Some foreign-born people wrote “all correct” as“o-l-l k-o-r-r-e-c-t.” and used the letters O.K.

    Other people say a railroad worker named Obadiah Kelly invented the word long ago. They said he put the first letters of his names—O and K—on each object people gave him to send on the train.

    Still others say a political organization invented the word. The organization supported Martin Van Buren for president in 1840.They called their group，the O.K. Club. The letters were taken from the name of the town where Martin Van Buren was born—Old Kinderhook，New York.

    Not everyone agrees with this explanation，either. But experts do agree that the word is purely American. And it has spread to almost every country on Earth.

    With these tips you can finally get a solid night's sleep.

    Reserve Your Bed

    Get into bed just for sleeping. Avoid working, paying bills, reading, or watching television in bed. If you associate your bed only with sleep, you'll be more likely to fall asleep.

    Watch the Caffeine(咖啡因)

    Too much caffeine throughout the day can cause interrupted sleep. Limit yourself to two cups of tea, coffee, or cola, taken at least 6 hours before bedtime.

    Tap the Exercise Answer

    In a study from Stanford University School of Medicine, a group of 50- to 76-year-olds who had complained of sleep problems began proper exercise for about half an hour four times a week. Compared with a similar group of people who didn't exercise, the more active group slept an average of one hour more each night, took less time to fall asleep.

    Take a Bath

    Take a warm bath an hour or two before bed. Your body temperature will slowly drop after you get out of the tub（浴盆）, making you feel tired. Don't bathe right before bed, however, because it can briefly stimulate you enough to make it hard to fall asleep.

    Buy the Right Bed

    A bed that's too soft can cause poor sleep. Replace your mattress(床垫)if it's more than ten years old, and buy one that's as firm as you can tolerate but still comfortable.

    If 30 minutes go by and you haven't fallen asleep, don't lie in bed feeling frustrated. Get up and do something relaxing.

    In 1994 I wrote a letter. I stuck it in an envelope, put it away and completely forgot about it. It wasn't until we moved into our new home in 2006 that I found it again. It was addressed to me with explicit instructions not to open until my birthday 2005. It was now 2006 so I decided to open it. This is what it said: Dear Sherri.

    By the time you read this you will be 30. At the age of 18 I had so many hopes and dreams about where you'd be, what you'd be doing and with whom you'd spend your life with.

    Right now I hope that you have traveled and seen everything you've always wanted to, both in Canada and overseas, and maybe even settled down somewhere in Australia doing some research in the field of biology (genetics).I hope you're married to the man of your dreams. The man of mine is Gwynn. He is originally from South Africa (another place I wish to visit).

    However, if things don't go according to plan for you, I wish you all the love, happiness and joy in the world and don't settle for anything less than the best since that is absolutely what you deserve.

    Live long, be happy and live life to it's fullest.

    Love Sherri "18"

    When I read this for the first time since writing it I was floored. Even now having dug this up again another 4 years later I still can't help but think this is really cool. So much of what I wanted for myself has materialized. I did travel to a few more places in Canada although I haven't seen everything I'd like to.

    I did marry the man of my dreams and yes he still is my one and only. I lived in Australia for nearly 4 years, I had a career in Biology in the field of genetics for 10 years. I have two lovely kids I have not one dog but two dogs. Gwynn is a computer programmer.

    I suppose these were things that I really did want. Having never strayed too far from home overseas travel was a huge deal. Having never been away from my family moving to Australia for several years was an huge decision. I find it fascinating how the dreams of a young and naive little girl can become a grown woman's reality.

    How about writing a letter now to yourself in, say, 10 years from now? It's an interesting experiment.

    GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE

    Come early, spend the day. Selected one of the top mazes in America. 16 acres of fun, new maze designs and surprises every year, miles of pathways, bridges, emergency exits, Kid Village, views, Barnyard Golf, 100 of underground tunnels, petting animals. Open Aug. I through early Oct. 1404 Wheelock Rd., N. Danville. TEL: 802 -748-1399.

    LINCOLN PEAK VINEYARD

    Named Vermont's star wine producer in American Wine, 2013.Comc taste our wines, enjoy a glass, and walk in the vineyard. We make something for everyone -dry to sweet- entirely with grapes we grow. 142 River Rd., New Haven; 3 miles north of Middlebury.802-388-7368.

    BENNINGTON MUSEUM

    Celebrating the creativity of Vermont across time with diverse art, rich history and innovation. The museum houses the largest public collection of paintings by folk artist Grandma Moses, 18th century paintings and furniture, a 1924Martin Wasp, motorcar, works by Bennington Modernists including Jules Olitski, Paul Feeley and others.75 Main St, Bennington. TEL: 802-447-1571.

    BENNINGTON POTTERS

    A Vermont tradition for 66 years! Take a free tour of the factory just behind our home style store at 324 County St., downtown Bennington. Shop from our full line of original design dinner ware, bake ware, mugs and more; furnishings for the home; everything for the table. Store and factory open. Mon.-Sat.9:30-6pm, Sun. 10-5 pm. TEL: 800-205- 8033.

    HIDDEN SPRINGS MAPLE

    Take a free, guided tour of our maple canning room, taste our different grades of maple sytud (枫糖)and shop for a variety of local products including maple syrup from a number of local farms, gift baskets, arts and crafts. 23 Westminster Rd. TEL: 802-387-5200.